DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND INSPECTIONS

MEMORANDUM

Section 104.1 of the 2009 Virginia Construction Code (Part I of the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code – USBC) and 606 of the 2009 Virginia Maintenance Code (Part III of the USBC) requires that each local building official provide for the periodic inspection and testing of existing elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters and moving walkways. This memorandum establishes criteria applicable to the approved 3rd Party agencies that perform these periodic inspections and tests. This policy also stipulates the format and timeframe required for building owners to obtain and submit the inspection and test reports. Elevators installed in single family and two-family homes and townhouses are exempt from periodic inspections and tests.

The Henrico County Department of Building Construction & Inspections requires that the periodic inspections and tests required by the Virginia Maintenance Code be performed by a 3rd Party as an approved agency. Approved agencies are required to be an individual, partnership or corporation that has met the Elevator Inspector certification requirements established by the Virginia Certification Standards administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), a Virginia registered design professional (RDP – architect or engineer), or an individual performing under the direct supervision of an RDP in accordance with Title 54.1 of the Code of Virginia. The qualifications of individuals performing inspections under the supervision of an RDP shall be the responsibility of the RDP.

All 3rd party inspection reports are required to be submitted on the Henrico County Department of Building Construction and Inspections Elevator Inspection Report form. The Elevator Inspection Report form is mailed to the building owner the month prior to when the inspection report is due. The form indicates the type of inspection and/or test that is due (i.e. Periodic Inspection and Category One Test or Category Five test). All inspection reports performed by an approved agency shall bear the name (legibly printed or typed) and signature of the approved elevator inspector. All inspection reports that are prepared by an RDP shall bear the seal and signature of the RDP that is approved to perform the inspection. All 3rd party elevator inspections performed under the direct supervision of an RDP shall bear the name (legibly printed or typed) and signature of the elevator inspector in addition to the seal and signature of the RDP. Individuals, partnerships or corporations other than RDP’s are required to submit a copy of their DHCD certification(s) for review and verification prior to submitting inspection and/or test reports. Inspection and test reports shall be received by Henrico County on or before the last day of the month in which the report is due.

Questions regarding this policy can be answered by calling the Electrical/Elevator Inspections Supervisor, Larry Redford, or Electrical/Elevator Inspector, Dale Powers, at 804-501-4360.